On Friday, the Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento will present “Honoring Facundo Cabral: a Día de Los Muertos Poetry Reading,” one of the events associated with the “Voice for the Voiceless” exhibit, featuring the artwork of Malaquías Montoya.

Curator Xico González will host Friday’s reading. A poet, artist and activist, he recruited four area poets to pay homage to Argentinian Facundo Cabral, a writer and performer of protest songs who gained fame in the 1970s when dictatorships, coups and other crises plagued Latin America. Cabral’s most famous song was “No Soy de Aqui, Ni Soy de Alla” (“I’m Not from Here, I’m Not from There Either”). Cabral went into exile in Mexico from 1976 to 1983 and was named “international messenger of peace” by UNESCO in 1996. He was killed in Guatemala City on July 9, 2011.

“Facundo Cabral has been part my life since the ’70s,” said Betty Sánchez, one of the featured readers and a longtime member of Los Escritores de Nuevo Sol. “I admire this wonderful man that, despite his hardships, [rose] above them and shared with the world his passion for life. It is a privilege to take part in honoring his legacy of strength, of lucha por la paz, of love for the whole human race. He will be with us as long as we remember him and follow his steps of fighting for human rights and embracing life no matter our circumstances. Facundo Cabral, PRESENTE, hoy y siempre! Looking forward to an exciting night of poetry in honor of a great man.”

Her thoughts on Cabral are echoed by Chicana poet, writer, educator and contributor to the “Poets Responding to SB 1070” Facebook page, Nancy Aidé González, another featured reader.

“I believe Facundo Cabral was a messenger of peace,” she said. “He is an inspiring philosopher-poet and singer. His songs spread the spirit of peace throughout the world. His songs, poems and writing touched my heart and the lives of millions. I admire Facundo Cabral because he was a voice that protested the violence and dictatorship throughout Latin America. He was a fervent believer in liberty and the equality of all men. I think it is important to remember the troubadour of a generation whose messages and songs will transcend all generations.”

One of the most well-known names reading on Friday is Francisco X. Alarcón, creator of “Poets Responding to SB 1070,” poet, activist and educator.

“Facundo Cabral was a cantautor (singer/composer) committed to the best social causes of the Latin American people,” he said. “He was both a visionary and a superb musician with a continental trajectory. We mourn his tragic passing in Guatemala and want to celebrate his life and work by having a reading on Friday in a gallery with another master of the visual arts committed to the best social causes of Latinos in the U.S., Malaquías Montoya.”

Visitors to the gallery can view silkscreen prints, mixed media and charcoal drawings created by Montoya, including his latest piece honoring Cabral, a silkscreen entitled “Facundo Cabral Presente.”

This is an opportunity to hear four poets pay homage to Cabral, and it is an opportunity to hear four poets pay tribute to language.

An open mic segment will follow the featured readers.

The Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento is located at 1519 19th St. The free event runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Facundo Cabral Presente - silkscreen print by Malaquías Montoya. The Q codes to the right offer the chance to hear the artist. (Image by: Sandy Thomas)